[Bricklin] AMC Rod Bearings

[Greg Schroeder]

OK, getting to the frustration point with this.  I did one other rebuild 
last year and did not have this much trouble with the pistons.  The hardest 
part was trying to remove an over torqued balancer.

It seems that after I install four pistons (1,2,3,4) I cannot move the crank 
to get the 5,6 where I can make the installation?  Is this normal?  My last 
build I did not have this issue, it was just as smooth with each piston I 
installed but it was a straight six.  I have soaked top of the pistons in 
oil before installation which help some on the install, but does not seem to 
affect their movement after installation.

I checked the clearance of the rod bearings with plasticgage and it was 
.004.  Then I read an article about using plastigage and they indicate it is 
not an accurate measurement.  One piston installed seems to work without any 
drag, so I believe that the rod bearing clearence is OK.

I have removed all the pistons again to check the crank and make sure there 
is no drag from the mains.  Moves nice and smooth.

I tried to purchase an older gap gage to check the gap between the two rods 
and it seems the one auto parts I checked did not have them.  I am hoping 
that this is where my issue lies. Is there a trick to keep the gap while 
installing? Is there any issue with installing the pistons all on one side 
(1,3,5,7) and then the other (2,4,6,8)?  This would help me eliminate the 
new rings as the issue and point back this gap.

Greg 0036